Missing Brit Joshua Kershaw Found Dead In Thailand

For nine agonizing days, the family and friends of Joshua Kershaw clung to hope as they waited for news from Thailand. The 21-year-old from Grimsby, described by loved ones as a "gorgeous boy inside and out," had vanished while traveling in the bustling tourist town of Pattaya. Now, after a major international search effort and a groundswell of support from across the UK and beyond, his mother has issued the heartbreaking update that every parent dreads: Joshua's body has been found, and the family is working to bring him home.

The story began on January 12, 2026, when Joshua was last seen in Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and popularity with international tourists. According to Yorkshire Live, Joshua was due to return to the UK a week later, with a flight booked from Bangkok on January 19 at 8:30pm local time. He was scheduled to arrive at London Heathrow on January 20 at 6:25am. But when Joshua failed to board his flight, alarm bells rang. UK authorities quickly designated him as a high-risk missing person, launching a search that would span continents and mobilize an entire community.

Joshua's family, led by his mother Jenny from Wakefield, wasted no time in rallying support. A GoFundMe campaign was set up to help with the search and eventual repatriation, and appeals for information were shared widely on social media. Friends, relatives, and strangers alike joined together, sharing posts, donating funds, and sending messages of hope. The urgency was palpable: every hour that passed without news heightened the family's fears and the community's resolve.

But as the days stretched on, hope began to give way to dread. On the morning of January 21, Jenny posted a message on Facebook that would shatter the hearts of all those who had followed Joshua's story. "As much as my heart is breaking right now. We have now located Josh. But unfortunately he was not alive. We are now trying to get his body back to the UK," she wrote, as reported by Daily Star and Express. The outpouring of grief was immediate and immense. Hundreds of people responded to Jenny's post, offering condolences and paying tribute to Joshua's memory.

One commenter wrote, "So sorry Jen, thinking of you all right now. Been thinking of you all week, was praying he was safe. So sad, RIP Josh." Another added, "Absolutely heart breaking Jen. Thinking of you, your beautiful girls and family! Sending you all so much love." A third echoed the sentiments of many: "Absolutely devastated for you all what a gorgeous boy he was inside and out. You’ve got this Jenny. you’ve got all of us. Love you so much xxxx." The responses underscored just how far-reaching Joshua's story had become, touching people well beyond his immediate circle.

Joshua's disappearance and the subsequent search captured national attention in the UK, not only because of the harrowing circumstances but also due to the collective effort to find him. The GoFundMe campaign, initially established to support the search, quickly became a focal point for those wanting to help. As Jade Kershaw, Joshua's aunt, shared on the fundraising page, "Our beloved nephew, Joshua, who had been missing in Thailand, has sadly been found deceased in his hotel. This is not the outcome we were praying for, and our family is completely devastated by this loss." She went on to thank everyone who had "shared our page, donated, sent messages, and kept us in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. Your kindness and support have meant more to us than we can ever express."

With the search now over, the family's focus has shifted to bringing Joshua home. The funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will now go toward repatriation costs and funeral arrangements, ensuring that Joshua can be laid to rest surrounded by his family and loved ones. "Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts as we grieve and try to come to terms with this heartbreaking news. Thank you again for standing with us during this unimaginable time," Jade wrote, expressing gratitude on behalf of a family united in grief.

Joshua's story is, tragically, not unique. Each year, hundreds of British nationals go missing while traveling abroad, often in countries where language barriers, unfamiliar legal systems, and logistical challenges complicate search and rescue efforts. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides resources and support for families in such situations, but the emotional and financial burdens frequently fall on those left behind. In Joshua's case, the swift classification of his disappearance as a high-risk case by UK authorities helped mobilize resources quickly—a fact that his family and supporters have acknowledged with appreciation.

The circumstances surrounding Joshua's disappearance and death remain under investigation by local authorities in Thailand, with the family awaiting further details. While the immediate focus is on bringing Joshua home, questions linger about how and why his trip ended in tragedy. For now, his loved ones are left to grapple with the void left by his loss, supported by a community that has rallied around them in their darkest hour.

Joshua's legacy, as reflected in the countless tributes and messages of support, is one of kindness, warmth, and a life that touched many. Though his time was cut short, the collective response to his disappearance and the determination to bring him home speak volumes about the power of community in times of crisis. For Jenny and the rest of Joshua's family, the journey ahead will be marked by grief, but also by the memory of a young man who inspired love and compassion in all who knew him.

As the Kershaw family prepares to lay Joshua to rest, their story stands as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the strength found in unity and support. In the face of overwhelming loss, the bonds of family, friendship, and community have offered a measure of solace—and a testament to the enduring impact of a life well lived, however brief.